Yemen’s Houthi rebels have pledged to escalate their attacks on Israel and the United States following deadly American airstrikes that killed at least 74 people at the Ras Isa oil port, CNN reported.
“Yemen will not back down from continuing its support operations for the Palestinian people until the Israeli aggression on Gaza stops and the siege is lifted,” the Houthi-controlled armed forces said in a statement.
The group also warned that continued U.S. “aggression” would only intensify the conflict, promising “further targeting, engagement, and confrontation.”
Thursday’s strikes by U.S. forces were among the deadliest in Yemen in recent months, with Al Jazeera reporting 74 fatalities and at least 171 injuries. The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed the operation targeted Houthi fuel and revenue infrastructure, specifically designed to weaken the group’s economic power.
“Today, U.S. forces took action to eliminate this source of fuel for the Iran-backed Houthi terrorists,” CENTCOM said in a statement on social media. “The objective of these strikes was to degrade the economic source of power of the Houthis.”
Since mid-March, the United States has ramped up airstrikes on Houthi targets, including oil refineries, airports, and missile sites, as part of efforts to deter attacks on international shipping in the Red Sea.
President Donald Trump previously vowed to use “overwhelming force” to halt the Houthis’ campaign, which the U.S. says threatens maritime security in the region.
Health officials in Hodeidah reported that the initial strike on Ras Isa killed at least 38 people and injured more than 100, before updated figures raised the toll.
The Houthis have fired multiple missiles toward Israel and targeted shipping routes in the Red Sea since October 7, 2023, claiming solidarity with Palestinians amid the ongoing war in Gaza.